NASL Indy Eleven

Indy loses 5-1

Published on August 16, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


BLAINE, Minn. "" Minnesota United (5W-1T-0L, 16 pts. in NASL Fall Season) put on a commanding display to achieve 5-1 victory over visiting Indy Eleven (2-4-1, 7 pts.) at the National Sports Center Stadium. League leading scorer Christian Ramirez brought his total to 12 for the season, with Aaron Pitchkolan, Daniel Mendes, and Jamie Watson also scoring for Minnesota before Indy Eleven midfielder Kleberson would get one back for the visitors after the result was long decided.

The Eleven dominated the opening minutes of the game with high pressure and possession in Minnesota's half. Several free kicks from outside the United box for Kléberson threatened keeper Matt VanOekel, but the Minnesota goalkeeper and his defense were able to handle the pressure.

United opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a pass from Ramirez to Watson, who fired from outside the box, his shot striking an Indy defender. Players appealed for a hand ball, and in the confusion an opportunity opened for Pitchkolan to take a shot. The Minnesota captain buried the chance, beating the helpless Indy "˜keeper Kristian Nicht and giving Minnesota the 1-0 lead.

Ramirez doubled United's lead in the 37th with a strike that will be a contender for Play of the Week "" if not Play of the Year. Justin Davis put a lofted ball into the box that Ramirez chested up in the air. The United striker finished the chance with a bicycle kick from 16 yards that found the left corner of the net, making it 2-0.

Much like in the spring encounter between the two sides, United got its third goal in first half stoppage time to take the wind out of the visitors' sails. Davis took a free kick that Ramirez flicked on past the Indy defense to find teammate Mendes, who perfectly timed his run. Mendes chipped Nicht with his first touch, putting the home side up by three as time expired.

The second half looked like a similar start to the first with the Eleven getting most of the early chances. However, Minnesota got its breakthrough just eight minutes into the half. Kevin Venegas found fellow midfielder Watson in the middle of the field with a precise pass. Watson dribbled past a defender and Nicht and passed the ball 18 yards into the back of the net. The goal put United up 4-0 and was Watson's first on the year.

Five minutes later Ramirez got his 12th of the year with a long range shot from the right side of the pitch. Miguel Ibarra tried a pass toward the corner flag, but the ball struck a defender's leg and was directed straight to Ramirez. The young forward took a touch, then placed a dipping shot over the head of Nicht that landed perfectly in the far back corner of the net.

Indy would not go quietly though, as former World Cup Champion Kléberson got the Eleven's lone goal. The Brazilian midfielder received the ball 30 yards from goal and saw an opening in the defense. Kléberson fired a laser-like shot, not seen by United keeper Matt VanOekel, which dipped into the upper left corner of the net making it 5-1 late in the second half.

After dropping two straight road games to the Fall Season's top two squads during consecutive weekends, Indy Eleven will look forward to returning to its home of Michael A. Carroll Stadium next Saturday, August 23, when the Hoosier State squad will host expansion "Class of 2014" mate Ottawa Fury FC for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff (live on MyINDY-TV 23 and NASLLive.com). Limited tickets for the match still remain and are available at IndyEleven.com, including special $25 packages that include a game ticket and a pass to the team's "Craft Brew Night presented by Kroger" pregame event beginning at 5:30 p.m.

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North American Soccer League Stories from August 16, 2014


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